Welch v. Kearns, 261 N.C. 171 (1964)

Jan. 17, 1964 · Supreme Court of North Carolina

261 N.C. 171

GILBERT P. WELCH and husband, J. ARTHUR WELCH, Petitioners v. RUTH P. KEARNS and husband, AUSTIN F. KEARNS; A. M. PRIMM and wife, SARAH H. PRIMM; CLEO P. GREEN and husband, WALTER GREEN; RICHARD W. PRIMM and wife, GERTRUDE B. PRIMM, Defendants.

(Filed 17 January 1964.)

1. Appeal and Error § 60—

The decision on appeal becomes the law -of the case.

2. Partition § 9—

The amount of commission allowed by tbe -Superior Oo-urt to tbe commissioner selling lands for partition is governed by G.S. 1-408 and rests in tbe discretion of tbe court, and the court’s order will not be disturbed in tbe absence of a showing of abuse of discretion.

3. Appeal and Error § 46—

Tbe action of tbe trial court as to matters within its judicial discretion will not be disturbed unless there is a clear abuse thereof.

Appeal by defendants from Gambill, J., regular Jun-e 10, 1963, Session, DavidsoN Superior Court.

This proceeding was here at the Spring Term, 1963. The Court remanded with -direction that the Superior Court Judge fix the amount to be paid' to M. E. Gilliam, as Commissioner, for hiis services in the proceeding. In a de novo hearing, Judge Gambih found $5,500.00 to ■be reasonable compensation and ordered payment from the proceeds of the sale. The 'defendants Kearns and Green excepted 'and appealed.

W. H. Steed for defendant appellants.

E. W. Hooper, Fred H. Morrison, Jr., for M. E. Gilliam, Commissioner, appellee.

Higgins, J.

The facts are fully set forth by 'the Chief Justice. See 259 N.C. 367. In the first instance -the Clerk Superior Court had awarded the Commissioner $7,000.00 for his services. On appeal, the Superior Court Judge concluded as a matter of law that commissions were governed 'by G.S. 28-170, could not exceed five per cent, and reduced the 'allowance to- $3,500.00. The Commissioner appealed.

This Court held that G.S. 1-408 — not G.S. 28-170 — controlled, and remanded the proceeding for trial de novo before the judge holding the Superior Court of Davidson County. That decision is the law of tire case. When Judge Gambill, on the de novo hearing, in his discretion, fixed $5,'500.00 as just and reasonable compensation, his decision can only be set aside for abuse of discretion. “The rule is universal that the 'action of the 'trial court ais to matters within its judicial discretion will not 'be disturbed unless there is ia clear abuse thereof; or, as it is frequently stated, the appellate court will not review the discretion of the trial court. This rule, or rather this statement of the rule, does not give the -trial judge 'am entirely free hand in what might be termed discretionary matter®. The exercise of judicial discretion which may not be reviewed implies conscientious judgment, not arbitrary action, takas account of tire law and the particular circumstances of the case, 'and is directed by the reason and conscience of the judge toward a just result." 3 Am. Jur., Appeal and Eirror, § 959.

The judgment 'challenged by this appeal is

Affirmed.